Afghanistan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are being taken to close the ideology gap in Afghanistan.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Afghan Government increasingly have to contend with the insurgency's ability to promote its extremist ideology. In order to help counter the extremist narrative, the UK is committed to increasing the Afghan Government's ability to communicate their credibility and authority, particularly in the Pashtun Belt. The UK supports the Afghan Government in developing their communications capacity and capabilities to support growing Afghan ownership of communications, including through funding of the new Government Media and Information Centre in Kabul and support for communications infrastructure.
	UK strategy in Afghanistan incorporates public diplomacy and outreach such as bilateral visits by prominent Muslim opinion-formers, in order to break down Afghan misconceptions about UK life and the myths around UK motivations for intervening in Afghanistan. In June this year, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided funding for a group of Helmand MPs to visit the UK to develop their understanding of the role of the UK's Muslim Community. The delegation's engagements included meeting British Muslim scholars and opinion-formers, visiting British mosques and Muslim faith schools. Also at the invitation of the Government, a group of Afghan religious leaders are visiting the UK in July in order to see first-hand demonstrations of Islam's compatibility with democracy. Their engagements include meetings with the Friends of Islam All-Party Parliamentary Group, the Society of Afghan Residents in the UK, and a visit to the Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in London.
	The UK works hard to explain foreign policy to domestic and international public in order to address inaccurate perceptions. We do this through media and public diplomacy work, including putting Arabic and Urdu-speaking spokespeople forward to media outlets such as Al-Jazeera, and speeches, interviews and articles by Ministers and ambassadors.

Afghanistan

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the governments of NATO members in eastern Europe about the supply of helicopters and troops to Afghanistan.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK continues to press others to share more of the burden in Afghanistan, focusing on what others can realistically deliver, including military and non-military.
	Lobbying efforts have resulted in real progress in the form of commitments announced at the NATO summit in Strasbourg on 3 and 4 April 2009. Many European nations, including eastern European NATO members, such as Poland, Romania and Lithuania made announcements of increased troop contributions.
	In 2008, a France-UK summit launched the UK-France (now multinational) Helicopter Initiative with the aim of helping finance equipment upgrades and crew training to improve the availability of helicopters to NATO, EU and UN operations. The initial focus was on the ISAF operation in Afghanistan, therefore increasing burden-sharing among the partner nations in Afghanistan.
	The fund has so far generated €27 million, and this has helped enable the commitment of an additional 17 helicopters for Afghanistan, starting with an initial deployment of Czech helicopters at the end of this year, plus plans for Bulgarian and Hungarian deployments thereafter. Other Eastern European NATO allies are also considering helicopter deployments. The Prime Minister raised this issue at the last NATO summit in April 2009, and the UK continues to engage with EU and NATO opposite numbers to gain their support for this initiative.

Afghanistan

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are assessing the report on prisons and detention centres in Afghanistan by Major-General D M Stone for the Government of the United States; and whether they will make representations about conditions under which prisoners and detainees are held by the United States and Afghan authorities.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We welcome the Stone review and the US focus on prisons and detentions facilities in Afghanistan. The question of prisoners detained by the US is a matter for the US and Afghan Governments.

Businesses: Foreign Ownership

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the opinion expressed by Lord Mandelson on 24 September that foreign ownership of some British companies may, in the long term, disadvantage the United Kingdom, represents Government policy.

Lord Mandelson: It is the Government's policy to pursue the benefits of free trade and open markets. Foreign investment is always of potential value to British companies. To maximise this value has always required consideration of investment alongside important questions about transparency, commercial intentions, and the location of production. It is in the interests of investors, shareholders and employees that all these aspects of ownership—domestic or foreign—are properly considered.

Chagos Islanders

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consult Parliament before finalising their reply to the European Court of Human Rights' judgment regarding a friendly settlement to the Chagossian case; and, if so, how.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government have been invited by the court to submit written observations on the admissibility and merits of the application by the Chagos Islanders and to inform the Registry of the Government's position concerning a friendly settlement. The deadline for submissions is now 31 July. The Government do not discuss the details of legal pleadings in cases to which we are a party while they are in the process of formulation and do not therefore propose to consult Parliament before submitting their observations.

Chagos Islanders

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of their 31 July observations, and exhibit 111 attached, on the admissibility and merits of Application no. 35622/04 Chagos Islanders v the United Kingdom at the European Court of Human Rights.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: While it is not our normal practice to put our observations on the European Court of Human Rights proceedings in the Library of the House, not least as these documents are publicly available in Strasbourg, I am pleased to respond positively to the noble Lord's request and will make copies of the documents he has requested available in the Library of the House.

Charity Commission

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Baroness Crawley on 10 July (WA 178) and to HL5188, what monitoring they do of the Charity Commission's discharge of its duty to promote good governance in charities; and whether they will propose or support amending legislation to protect them where provable electoral fraud has been committed by a charity's officers.

Baroness Crawley: The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. As a non-ministerial government department it agrees a series of key performance indicators (KPIs) directly with HM Treasury, and reports against these in its annual report. The Charity Commission is accountable to the courts for its legal decisions and is also accountable to Parliament. The Charity Commission appears before the Public Administration Select Committee on an annual basis to give evidence about various aspects of its work.
	There are no plans to propose or support amending legislation in the area of provable electoral fraud committed by a charity's officers, nor is such legislation considered necessary as we believe that existing legislation is sufficient to allow action to be taken by the regulator where it considers it appropriate and proportionate to do so.

Charity Commission

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Baroness Crawley on 10 July (WA 178) and to HL5188, what response they have made to the report sent to Baroness Crawley by Professor Leon Poller on 24 August; and what action they will be taking.

Baroness Crawley: The matters raised in the report by Professor Leon Poller are for the Charity Commission as the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. The report has been passed to the Charity Commission for it to consider and to respond directly to Professor Poller.

China

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take regarding the confrontations involving Uighur and Han Chinese in the city of Urumqi, China.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We have stated on a number of occasions that we hope restraint will be exercised on all sides and problems resolved peacefully in Urumqi and other parts of Xinjiang province. We are also stressing to the Chinese authorities the need for the rights of those detained to be fully respected, including the right to due process. We are also continuing to encourage the Chinese authorities to maintain their welcome approach of transparency and openness towards the media and international community.

Commission for Racial Equality

Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the internal audit of the Commission for Racial Equality's finances in 2005—06; and whether the audit reflected any concerns about the Commission subcontracting work to its own staff.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The National Audit Office report of the 2005-06 accounts, which were not qualified, was considered by Government. The audit did not identify any concerns regarding the commission sub-contracting work to its own staff. The audit identified one area of weakness in relation to consultancies—"Our review of consultancy contracts found that not all contracts over £5,000 were supported by a business case, as required by the Commission's procedures. Again we understand that improved procedures from February 2006 will prevent this happening in future". The Government are not aware of any internal audit reports reflecting the concerns outlined above.

Criminal Justice Acts

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 21 July (HL5024), whether they intend to bring the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 into force before the end of the year.

Lord Bach: In line with the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, the Government must consult the Information Commissioner, and such media organisations and other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate before making an order under Section 77 of that Act.
	The Government are currently considering whether now is the appropriate time to consult on the introduction of custodial sentences for the knowing or reckless misuse of personal data.

Department for Communities and Local Government: Purchase Order Data

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, on 23 June 2008 (Official Report, House of Commons, 24W), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the names and addresses of each organisation that supplied goods or services to Communities and Local Government in 2008—09 from purchase order data held in the department's financial system.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: I refer the noble Lord to my honourable friend the Member for Portsmouth North's Answer of 15 June 2009, given to the honourable Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Official Report, col. 18W).

Education: Unauthorised Colleges

Lord King of West Bromwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many "bogus colleges" alleged to have abused the overseas student visa system they have identified; and what action they have taken against them.

Lord West of Spithead: The UK Border Agency has refused 343 applications for inclusion on the tier four sponsor register, a further 339 have been rejected for incorrect fees and application errors and 86 applications have been withdrawn. Educational institutions registered under tier four of the points-based system which are found to have abused the overseas student visa system will be suspended from the tier four register of sponsors.
	All applications from students pending at the time of the suspension will be placed on hold and no decision made on whether to issue an entry clearance. If the college is found to be complicit in the abuse the sponsorship licence will be revoked, and all associated student applications refused.
	The UK Border Agency will also take appropriate action on any college that brought overseas students to the UK prior to 31 March 2009 where it is able to establish credible adverse information.

Essential Services: Bills

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what legislation covers arrangements set up by essential service providers for their customers to pay bills by (a) cheque, (b) debit or credit card, (c) direct debit, or (d) online.

Lord Young of Norwood Green: Electricity and Gas suppliers are required by their licences to provide a wide choice of payment methods.
	In the communications sector, there is no legislation that specially covers payment methods, though the amounts charged may be regulated.
	There are rules within the general conditions of entitlement (GCs) under the Communications Act 2003 that govern the provision of up to date transparent information in this regard (GC9, GC 10)). The GCs can be obtained from the Ofcom website at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/g_a_regime/gce/archive/cvogc290409.pdf. A copy of this document has been deposited in the Library of the House.
	In the water sector, Section 143 of the Water Industry Act 1991 allows the Secretary of State to give guidance to the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) on the exercise of powers used when approving companies' charges schemes. Ofwat must have regard to such guidance.
	The statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to the WSRA (Ofwat) published in August 2008 refers to the guidance from the Secretary of State on matters to be taken into account when approving companies' charges schemes.
	This guidance was issued in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's Water Industry Act 1999—Delivering the Government's Objectives (2000) which says in relation to payment schemes that "customers should be able to make frequent payments (such as weekly or fortnightly). Companies should also provide as many options as possible on where and when payment can be made. Customers should be able to take up these options at no extra cost to them".

Essential Services: Bills

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what legislation covers the ability of essential service providers to charge customers who pay their bills by (a) cheque, (b) debit or credit card, (c) direct debit, or (d) online.

Lord Young of Norwood Green: Electricity and Gas suppliers are required by their licences to provide a wide choice of payment methods.
	In the communications sector, there is no legislation that specially covers payment methods. However, the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (UTCCRs) are relevant. Ofcom has considered how the UTCCRs apply to consumer contracts for communications services in relation to certain standard consumer contract terms. It did so during its review of additional charges and has published its guidance (the guidance) on additional charges, which sets out its views. This guidance is available on its website as follows: http://www.ofcom.org.uk /consult/condocs/addcharges/statement/addchargestatement.pdf. A copy of this document has been deposited in the Library of the House.
	A charge levied when a consumer chooses a particular payment method is considered to be an additional charge (a charge from their supplier above those that they already pay for the service). Ofcom has considered additional charges in detail in the guidance. Ofcom's view is that communications providers are free to charge customers who pay their bills by certain payment methods, and no legislation prevents them from doing so. But, it thinks that terms which provide for a charge for the payment method may be assessed for fairness under the UTCCRs if these terms are not:
	expressed transparently, in plain and intelligible language; andpresented in such a way that the typical consumer would regard the charge as part of the price they are paying for the services they are buying, and not a separate, incidental additional charge.
	In the water sector, Section 143 of the Water Industry Act 1991 allows the Secretary of State to give guidance to the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) on the exercise of powers used when approving companies' charges schemes. Ofwat must have regard to such guidance.
	The statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to the WSRA (Ofwat) published in August 2008 refers to the guidance from the Secretary of State on matters to be taken into account when approving companies' charges schemes.
	This guidance was issued in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's Water Industry Act 1999—Delivering the Government's Objectives (2000) which says in relation to payment schemes that "customers should be able to make frequent payments (such as weekly or fortnightly). Companies should also provide as many options as possible on where and when payment can be made customers should be able to take up these options at no extra cost to them".

Essential Services: Bills

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what legislation covers the ability of essential service providers to give a discount to customers who pay their bills by (a) cheque, (b) debit or credit card, (c) direct debit, or (d) online.

Lord Young of Norwood Green: Electricity and Gas suppliers are required by their licences to provide a wide choice of payment methods.
	In the communications sector, there is no legislation that specially covers discounts. However, in Ofcom's view the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (UTCCRs) apply where communications providers provide discounts for certain payment methods. The extra amount payable by consumers who do not pay by those payment methods is an additional charge that may be assessed for fairness under the UTCCRs.
	In the water sector, Section 143 of the Water Industry Act 1991 allows the Secretary of State to give guidance to the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) on the exercise of powers used when approving companies' charges schemes. Ofwat must have regard to such guidance.
	The statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to the WSRA (Ofwat) published in August 2008 refers to the guidance from the Secretary of State on matters to be taken into account when approving companies' charges schemes.
	This guidance was issued in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's Water Industry Act 1999—Delivering the Government's Objectives (2000) which says in relation to payment schemes that "customers should be able to make frequent payments (such as weekly or fortnightly). Companies should also provide as many options as possible on where and when payment can be made. Customers should be able to take up these options at no extra cost to them".

Essential Services: Bills

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of customers pay online for (a) water, (b) electricity, (c) gas, and (d) council tax.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Ofwat estimates that less than 1 per cent of customers pay their water bills online. Ofgem estimates that around 5 per cent of customers settle their energy bills online.
	The administration of council tax is the responsibility of individual billing authorities and information about payment methods is not collected by central government.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the first consignments of reconstruction materials to enter Gaza; and what support they have given to the Egyptian proposal for a joint monitoring committee to supervise supplies entering Gaza.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: According to the UN since January 2009, 24 truck loads of reconstruction materials have entered Gaza for both private sector use and water related construction projects. However, on the whole, shipments of shelter reconstruction materials are still being rejected.
	The UK continues to press the Israeli Government to ease border restrictions and permit the flow of humanitarian aid and reconstruction material. We welcome Egyptian efforts aimed at easing the tensions around Gaza and so improving access.

Gaza

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking in response to the request of the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Mr Maxwell Gaylard, for full and unrestricted access to spare parts and materials needed to restore water and sanitation services in Gaza.

Lord Brett: The most recent conflict in Gaza caused considerable damage to public infrastructure and exacerbated an already serious situation. Post-conflict reconstruction and repair of damaged and deteriorating water infrastructure has been significantly delayed due to import restrictions imposed by the Government of Israel two years ago.
	Since then, the Department for International Development (DfID) has been engaged with the UN and other donors in advocacy efforts to achieve full access for humanitarian items and personnel and materials essential to repair homes, schools and infrastructure. We strongly support the UN's Framework for the Provision of Minimum Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza, which reminds all parties of the obligation to respect humanitarian principles. DfID will continue to engage in these advocacy efforts.
	DfID has also provided funding to a number of non-governmental organisations engaged in humanitarian response and early recovery activities. This included £600,000 to Oxfam for distribution of over 43 million litres of drinking water to more than 63,000 beneficiaries, and basic repairs of the water network which improved sanitation for more than 100,000 people.

Government Initiatives: Advertising

Lord Newby: To ask Her Majesty's Government which initiatives by Communities and Local Government and its agencies were advertised in each of the past five years; how much was spent on each; and which used the services of the Central Office of Information.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The department's expenditure on communications, including advertising, is set out in its annual reports, which include details of the main initiatives communicated. Departmental annual reports are available on the department's website at www.communities.gov.uk. Additional detail on the most recent year (2008-09) is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents /corporate/pdf/1298507.pdf.
	Between 2006-08, Central Office of Information expenditure data show that advertising for the following campaign areas used its services. COI does not hold the information for 2004-06:
	2008-09
	Smoke Alarms/Fire Kills;
	E-Gov (Connect to your Council);
	REACH; and
	Eco-towns.
	2007-08
	Tenancy Deposit Scheme;
	Home Information Packs;
	E-Gov (Connect to your Council); and
	Smoke Alarms/Fire Kills.
	2006-07
	E-Gov (Connect to your Council);
	Houses of Multiple Occupancy;
	E-Enabling;
	Smoke Alarms/Fire Kills;
	Building Regulations;
	Home Information Packs; and
	Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Health: Quality and Outcomes Framework

Baroness Cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria are used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to decide which indicators will be piloted for potential inclusion in the 2011—12 Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Baroness Thornton: The criteria used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for piloting potential indicators for inclusion in the Quality and Outcomes Framework have been published in its Interim Process Guide. This document is due for review in 2010.
	A copy has been placed in the Library.

Human Rights

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their foreign policy is based on there being no denials of human rights in the Republic of Ireland.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government do not believe Ireland is denying the human rights of its citizens.

International Development

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the planned year-on-year increases (in percentage and estimated real terms) in funding for the Department for International Development in order for the United Kingdom to reach its commitment for its official development assistance to reach 0.7 per cent of gross national income by 2013.

Lord Brett: Expenditure plans for the Department for International Development to meet its official development assistance (ODA) commitment from 2008-09 to 2010-11 were set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and revised in the 2009 Budget. The revised figures are set out in the table below. Departmental budgets beyond 2010-11 have not yet been agreed.
	
		
			  Departmental Expenditure Limit (£ billion) % increase % increase (real terms) 
			 2007-08 £5,204,840   
			 2008-09 £5,666,974 8.9% 6.5% 
			 2009-10 £6,785,560 19.7% 18.6% 
			 2010-11 £7,761,910 14.4% 12.7%

Internet: Mastering the Internet

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether as part of the Mastering the Internet programme, or any other initiative, they are intending to utilise, or require communications service providers to utilise, Deep Packet Inspection to record communications data in non-centralised databases.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government are considering how Deep Packet Inspection technologies might support the lawful acquisition of communications data. The Government's consultation on options to maintain the capability of public authorities to use communications data which closed on 20 July makes it clear that the proposed way forward involves non-centralised databases held by the communications service providers.

Internet: Mastering the Internet

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Mastering the Internet programme will require the creation of any new non-central databases.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: It is longstanding government policy not to comment on intelligence matters.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose that the Middle East quartet should draw up a plan to end all conflict between Israel and Palestine and to settle wider Arab-Israeli issues.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We strongly support the US approach and that of the quartet. Current US efforts to work with the parties to restart negotiations offer the best way forward to end the conflict.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of Visions of the Endgame by Tony Klug, published by the Fabian Society and the Oxford Research Group.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We are in contact with Tony Klug and with others who have ideas on the way forward. He provides an interesting model for how to conclude negotiations. But we are not yet at that point. Our focus is on working closely with the US and other partners to restart negotiations.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they and quartet members have taken or will take to prevent Israel breaking international law by (a) increasing the number of settlers in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and (b) issuing orders for demolishing Palestinian homes.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The quartet statement of 26 June was clear in that it "urged the Government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolition and evictions".
	We—and our partners—have been vocal in our opposition to illegal Israeli settlement activity and the demolition of Palestinian homes. We will continue to press the Israeli Government on these important issues.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Government of Israel to reopen the premises of the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce, in accordance with requirements set out in the road map.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We have pressed the Government of Israel at the highest levels to allow the reopening of the east Jerusalem institutions, including the chamber of commerce, and we continue to call on Israel to do so. In his speech to the Knesset in July 2008, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister made a public call for the chamber of commerce to be reopened.
	The UK position is clear that a comprehensive peace should be based on two states, living side by side within secure and agreed borders based on those of 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital for both states.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel to hand over to the Palestinian Authority four former settlements near Jenin which have been empty since 2005 and are in a closed military area.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We are aware of this issue and have worked, and will continue to work, closely with international actors including the quartet representative and the United States security co-ordinator, who have asked the Israelis to allow these buildings to be used by the Palestinians.

Kenya: Water Management

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to encourage the Government of Kenya to improve water management in the region, and in particular reversing the damage to areas such as the Mau forest.

Lord Brett: The Department for International Development (DfID) provides core funding to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to support its work on water management and core support (£3 million from 2008-11) to the Global Water Partnership (GWP). GWP is supporting the development of integrated water management plans (IWRM) at the national level in several countries including Kenya. DfID has also provided an additional £1.5 million per year to UNEP's poverty and environment initiative.
	The British high commissioner in Nairobi recently attended a UNEP hosted meeting on the Mau forest ecosystem which brought together stakeholders from across Government, the donor community and civil society. He has also discussed the need for action on the Mau forest with several Kenyan Government Ministers. We also expect water management to feature in discussions on the food crisis between international donors and the Kenyan Government over the coming weeks.

Kite Consultancy Ltd

Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Kite Consultancy Ltd had any connection with the Commission for Racial Equality; if so, in what capacity Kite Consultancy Ltd was employed by the Commission for Racial Equality; and at what cost.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Kite Consultancy Ltd was engaged by the Commission for Racial Equality on a consultancy basis between August 2006 and April 2007. Invoicing for this period totals £105,577.

Libya: Compensation

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they will offer to relatives and dependants of those killed and injured by the IRA who are attempting to obtain compensation from the Government of Libya.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The new Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) unit will support the victims' families and their representatives by serving as a central point of contact within the FCO, arranging meetings with the Libyan authorities, providing logistical assistance and supporting the representatives of the victims in Libya.

Marine Environment: Gibraltar

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether progress has been made to annul European Commission Decision 2009/95/EC which designated British Gibraltar territorial waters as being under the control of Spain; whether they have made representations to the Kingdom of Spain and to the European Commission; and, if so, what has been the response in each case.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: European Commission Decision 2009/95/EC did not designate British Gibraltar territorial waters (BGTW) as being under the control of Spain. Rather, Spain proposed an area, which included BGTW, to the Commission as a site of community importance (SCI) and the decision confirmed the listing of this site. We have clearly stated that we do not recognise the listing as the United Kingdom is the only state competent to include a site within BGTW on a list of SCIs submitted to the Commission.
	We are deeply concerned that Spain should seek to have an area of BGTW listed and that this listing should have been approved. We have made representations to both the European Commission and Spain on this matter and will continue to do so in order to redress this issue. In the mean time, we have placed on record that the UK does not recognise the validity of the Spanish listing.
	Separately we are aware that the Government of Gibraltar have commenced an action against the European Commission in the European Court of First Instance seeking annulment of the relevant listing.

Middle East

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of their decision to talk to Hezbollah in Lebanon, they propose to talk to Hamas as part of the peace process in the Middle East.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: Policy on Hezbollah does not read across to our policy towards Hamas. Our policies must reflect the specific circumstances of the Lebanese and Palestinian political contexts. We have no contact with Hamas and do not believe it is productive to talk to it directly. As long as Hamas fails to commit to work peacefully for a two state solution, it is difficult to see how it can be part of achieving such a solution.

Niger Delta

Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security situation in (a) the Gulf of Guinea, and (b) the Niger Delta.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government remain concerned at instability in Niger Delta and possible ramifications for the Gulf of Guinea. The 12 July attack on the Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos demonstrated that attacks are possible outside the Niger Delta region. However, we welcome the Nigerian Government's amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta and the Movement for the Emancipation for the Niger Delta's ceasefire, announced on 15 July, and hope that this can lead to constructive dialogue towards reaching political, economic and environmental stability and development benefiting communities in the Delta. The UK is ready to assist where appropriate and if requested by the Nigerian Government.

Niger Delta

Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British citizens have been kidnapped or harassed by pirates in the Niger Delta.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: Since January 2006, 43 British nationals (including two children) have been kidnapped by militant or criminal groups in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice for Nigeria (available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling -and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria) continues to advise against all travel to the Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers (including Port Harcourt) and advises British nationals in these states to leave.

Nigeria: Banks

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Nigeria to determine to what extent the investigations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into corrupt practices and debt defaulting by Nigerian banks have uncovered links with banks based in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) works closely with its international counterparts. The FSA will consider any evidence that suggests that any UK banks, including subsidiaries of Nigerian banks, create inappropriate risks for customers or UK markets, or are not complying with their rules.

Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 July (WA 90—91) concerning funding from Atlantic Philanthropies for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, whether they sought a legal opinion; if so, from whom; and whether it was followed.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 July (WA 90—91), how the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's proposal to secure legislative implementation of their advice on a bill of rights by taking funding from Atlantic Philanthropies related to the statutory functions of the Commission; and whether that is standard practice for other Northern Ireland Office non-departmental public bodies.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Secretary of State's decision on the proposal by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) to access funding from Atlantic Philanthropies was informed by legal advice from the department's legal advisers. As the noble Lord is aware, correspondence explaining the decision in full has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The functions of the NIHRC are set out in Section 69 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. They include, inter alia, to "advise the Secretary of State ... of legislative and other measures which ought to be taken to protect human rights" and to "promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in Northern Ireland". The projects for which the NIHRC sought to receive funding from Atlantic Philanthropies were considered to be consistent with these functions. The receipt of external funding is anticipated and authorised, subject to Northern Ireland Office approval, by the NIHRC management statement and financial memorandum, a copy of which is also available in the Libraries of both Houses.
	Other non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office have different functions.

Olympic Games 2012: Consultants

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultants are and have been employed by the Olympic Delivery Authority; how they were selected; by whom; to carry out what tasks; at what cost; and what are their terms of reference.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The procurement of consultancy services by both GOE and ODA is a planned response to the need to deliver the Government's commitments and guarantees to deliver the London 2012 Games on time and within a budget of £9.325 billion.
	The consultants provide valuable short term support or key specialist skills and expertise not otherwise readily available.
	The use of consultants has enabled us to make excellent progress across the many facets of the Olympic programme and in particular in the construction of the Olympic venues and development of legacy planning. As well as rapid progress we have seen significant savings across the venues and infrastructure construction programme, whose anticipated final cost (AFC) fell by £179 million from £7,413 million when we published the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games annual report in January 2009 to £7,234 million when we published our quarterly economic report in May 2009. The £7,234 million figure was confirmed in the following quarterly economic report, published on 20 July.
	As the IOC recently recognised, inputs such as these are continuing to transform the Lower Lea Valley and provide a lasting legacy for the people of London and the UK.
	Spending by the Olympic Delivery Authority on consultancy fees reduced from £19.8 million (3.7 per cent of total ODA spend) in 2007-08 to £16 million (1.2 per cent) in 2008-09.
	This reduction reflects the shift from the planning, design and preparation phase of the programme, where consultancy costs are traditionally concentrated, to the development phase.
	Contracts are awarded by the Olympic Delivery Authority following a competitive tendering process. The authority is a public body whose procurements are subject to the public contracts regulations.
	I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a table which lists the names of consultancy contactors appointed by the ODA during the years 2005-06 to 2008-09 inclusive giving, in each case, the services for which the contract was awarded and the amount the ODA spent during the first three of those years; during 2008-09 alone, and in total over the four years to the end of 2008-09. However, because of the number of contracts awarded during the past four years, as shown in the table, further details of how each individual contractor was selected, and their terms of reference, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Somalia: Pirates

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what their response is to the increase in piracy off Somalia reported by the International Maritime Bureau; what action the British fleet has taken this year to combat piracy; and what the European Union's contribution has been.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Government are taking a comprehensive approach to piracy off the coast of Somalia. This involves close co-ordination among all relevant government departments, the UK shipping industry, the International Maritime Organisation and the wider international community. The aim is to reduce the risk to vessels transiting the seas off the Horn of Africa while tackling piracy at its root—instability in Somalia—through the provision of humanitarian and development assistance.
	UN Security Council Resolution 1851 established a Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) whose work is taken forward by four working groups. The UK chairs Working Group 1 on operational co-ordination and regional capacity development.
	The Royal Navy is actively countering piracy around the Horn of Africa and is playing a leading role in international efforts to do so. The UK is at the forefront of the European mission, Operation ATALANTA, providing the operation commander and the operation headquarters at Northwood. The UK commands the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG), which has a counter-piracy mandate, from HMS "Cornwall". We are also providing ships to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which conduct maritime security operations in the region.
	Operation ATALANTA is achieving positive results in providing protection to World Food Programme (WFP), AMISOM reinforcements and other vulnerable shipping. ATALANTA has delivered a significant reduction in the number of successful attacks in the internationally recognised transit corridor in the strategically critical Gulf of Aden through close co-operation with the international shipping industry. Thirty-six shipments of WFP shipping have been escorted, which equates to 243,179 metric tonnes of food. This is an important first step in a comprehensive approach to tackling the problem of piracy on land.
	ATALANTA has warships from 10 European countries, including Norway, on patrol in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. The Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) has been established at Northwood and is a world-leading example of military co-ordination and co-operation with industry, set up by the UK-led European operation. ATALANTA is also leading the way in encouraging the Somali authorities to take ownership of the problem and is working in support of the European Commission—a good example of military-civil-diplomatic co-operation.
	The UK and EU are at the forefront of the international response to piracy, whether it is through legal arrangements for the prosecution of detainees in Kenya and other regional nations, involvement in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGCPS) or co-chairmanship of the military co-ordination mechanism known as the shared awareness and deconfliction meeting (SHADE), which brings together EU, NATO, CMF with China, Russia, Japan and India, among others.
	More than 80 suspected pirates have been apprehended by UK and EU warships in the past few months and they are currently being processed through the Kenyan legal system. The warships and maritime patrol aircraft are fully engaged in protecting merchant ships, disrupting pirate activity, pursuing suspects and helping regional nations improve their own capacity to deal with the problem.

Somalia: Refugees

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to assist refugees from Somalia entering Kenya.

Lord Brett: In April 2009 the Department for International Development (DfID) provided £2 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) towards its work supporting Somali refugees at the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya. The funding is being used to help meet gaps in shelter, emergency health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and protection in the refugee camps.
	The UK Government also support UNHCR's work in Dadaab through funding to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, the EC Humanitarian Office and core funding to UNHCR (£19 million per year).
	The UK Government continue to press the Government of Kenya to open their border with Somalia. This would help grant asylum to genuine refugees from Somalia, and allocate sufficient land to expand the Dadaab camps to accommodate more refugees.

Sri Lanka

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Sri Lanka about the 20-year prison sentence given to the journalist J S Tissainayagam.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary expressed his concern at the severity of the sentence of Mr Tissainayagam to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama when they spoke on 9 September. The EU released a statement on 3 September expressing concern at the verdict and sentence given to Mr Tissainayagam, as well as the wider concerns with the state of media freedoms in Sri Lanka. We will be following the appeals process closely.
	A link to the EU statement can be found here: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedoes/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/109935.pdf.

Sudan

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they will make to the parties to the comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan to respect the verdict of the Abyei Permanent Court of Arbitration to be announced on 22 July, in the light of concerns that the National Congress Party may resume conflict in the event of a ruling with which it does not agree.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: My noble friend Lord Malloch-Brown issued a statement on 21 July welcoming the public commitment by both parties to accept the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the boundary of the Abyei area as final and binding. During his visit to Sudan between 21 and 24 July, the Department for International Development Director General for Country Programmes, Mark Lowcock, reiterated this message to both sides.
	Following the announcement on 22 July, both the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement have said publicly that they accept the court's decision. Our ambassador visited Abyei on 2 and 3 August with the Assessment and Evaluation Commission Three Areas Working Group. The purpose of the visit was to urge the Dinka and Misseriya communities to accept the 22 July Abyei arbitration decision. We continue to follow implementation of the award closely and urge all parties to honour the commitments they have made.

Sudan

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on southern Sudan of inter-tribal conflicts and access to armaments which may be supplied by the north, and any implications for the elections in 2010; and whether they will make representations to the Government of National Unity to investigate that situation and to ensure that no arms are being made available to parties to any conflict in southern Sudan.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We are deeply concerned at the escalation in tribal fighting in southern Sudan in recent months. This fighting is having a terrible impact on the ordinary lives of Sudanese and displacing many thousands of people, as well as fostering mistrust and suspicion among communities ahead of planned national elections in 2010 and the 2011 referendum on self-determination.
	There are a number of factors which have contributed to the violence, including continuing tensions between tribes and former militias who were on different sides during the north-south civil war, the widespread availability of small arms and the existence of a security vacuum in many parts of the region.
	We have urged all parties to do all they can to ensure that the root causes of the violence are addressed. The UK is also providing significant support to the police service of southern Sudan and to community security and arms control programmes.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to reports from the Commander of the United Nations—African Union Mission in Darfur that the war is effectively over; and what assessment have they made of counter-claims by organisations such as the International Crisis Group that the underlying causes of the conflict remain, with the likelihood that violence will return.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We agree with General Agwai that levels of organised violence and fighting between Sudan armed forces and armed movements in Darfur have declined significantly in comparison to levels experienced in 2003-05, and that conflict in Darfur is now more characterised by banditry and local disputes. But levels of lawlessness and insecurity remain high and humanitarian access poor. We also share the view of many international observers that the causes and consequences of conflict have yet to be addressed, and that without this there can be no sustainable peace in Darfur.

Turkey: Ergenekon Case

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British or European Union officials are observing the trial in Turkey of those accused in the Ergenekon case.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: British and EU officials have yet to attend the trial. We do, however, follow developments in the Ergenekon case closely and expect the highest international standards to be upheld throughout the investigation and trial. We discuss the issue regularly with EU colleagues.

Turkey: EU Accession

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether during accession negotiations the European Union has presented to Turkey a statement concerning the changes considered necessary in Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, penal code and constitution; and, if not, whether they will take steps for that to be done.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: Changes which the European Commission and the European Council believe to be necessary to Turkey's anti-terrorism law, penal code and constitution are set out in the annual Progress Report and the Accession Partnership at http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ pdf/press_corner/key-documents/reports_nov_2008/turkey_progress_report_en.pdf (pages 74, 14/15 and 6 respectively).
	They are also covered in more detail in expert reports commissioned by the European Union and are discussed with the Turkish authorities as part of the political dialogue.

Turkey: Halki

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Turkey to suggest the reopening of the Greek Orthodox seminary on the island of Halki.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: We have regularly raised the issue of the Greek Orthodox Halki seminary in bilateral discussions with the Turkish Government, who have assured us that they are working to develop a formula which would allow Halki to be re-opened on terms acceptable to the Greek Orthodox community, without contravening constitutional provisions on state supervision of religious education. This issue is routinely raised by the European Union as part of the political dialogue with Turkey, and highlighted in the European Commission's annual progress report on Turkey's accession.

Uganda: Lord's Resistance Army

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with the governments of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and of Uganda, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo a military operation under Article 42 of the United Nations Charter to capture or eliminate terrorists in the Lord's Resistance Army.

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: Agreement between the Governments of Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and south Sudan led to a joint military operation, Lightning Thunder, against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), which began in December 2008. We regularly discussed the progress of the operation with the Governments involved.
	Operation Lightning Thunder is now over, but military operations designed to put further pressure on the LRA are continuing. We continue to raise this issue regularly, most recently on 9 September 2009, with the Ugandan Foreign Minister, and with the UN Mission to the DRC (MONUC) in Kinshasa and Kampala. The situation is also discussed at the UN Security Council at least every quarter. There are currently no plans for a Chapter 7 mandated operation against the LRA.